Mackenzie Brown, Stops By!
Hi Mackenzie!
Are you ready to sit in the hot seat and be grilled er…interviewed? 🙂
Hi Karen,
Let’s start out with a few questions about your involvement with the short story group.
How did you get involved with the short story group?
I was approached by Vanessa Wester and asked to contribute a story. I thought it was a really good idea and I’m glad I was part of the evolution of the group.
How many of the short story books do you have a story in and which ones?
Three in total as follows;
Out of Darkness, my story “Creeping Jesus”, is set in the English city of York at Christmas time, when a ghoulish apparition reaches out to two homeless people.
A Festive Feast, my story, “Pocket Money”, charts the rags-to-riches story of a single parent and her child who receive an unexpected festive gift.
Love is in the Air, my story, “The Sweet Coupons”, is set during the second world war and involves two brothers who face a delicious dilemma.
If the short story group puts out another collection, will you submit a story again?
I’d love to if I can come up with a story that fits the theme. I’m afraid my last effort didn’t quite make the cut in terms of theme.
I didn’t know that. Well hold on to it and maybe it will fit into a future collection, you never know. And get your creative mind in gear and come up with one for the, Past, Present. And Future theme.
Okay, now for the hard part. 
Tell us about your writing habits. Do you write every day?
I try to write every day, but if I’m not writing I’m always thinking about my current project.
How long have you been writing?
All of my life really, but seriously for about a decade.
How many books do you have out?
Lost Boys (The Black Knight Series) US and in the UK here
The Shifting in the US And in the UK
The Book of Souls (An Imelda Stone Adventure) And in the UK
Do you have a favorite one that you have written? Why?
Lost Boys just about shades it as my favourite because it’s set in a location I know, similar to somewhere I once lived. Although the setting is fictional the location and the era is as accurate as I can make it. But The Shifting is a close second. I relished the challenge of depicting Victorian London in one part of the book. I wasn’t sure I could pull it off, but I’m happy with the results.
What’s next for you? Are you working on another book? Tell us a little about it.
I’m about to release part one, of a five part series of detective stories set in 1940 war torn Liverpool. (Vic Prince is the descendant of the leader of his tribe, who was captured and brought to Liverpool on the last slave ship) I’m calling part one, Prince of The City; The Cat’s Whiskers
And hope to have part two – Prince of The City; Nine Lives – released before the end of the year. In addition to that, I’ve promised my family I’d do my best to complete my rewrites on a book I’ve written charting early the lives of my grandparents (Angus Mackenzie Brown and Anne Brown.) between 1914 and 1945. I’m calling it Annie’s War.
I’m also looking to complete part two of The Shifting trilogy next year. I’m calling it The Burning. Then I plan to write another Black Knight series following on from Lost Boys, to be called Cold Trails and last but not least, an Imelda Stone follow up, I’m calling The Book of Eli.
What do you do to relax when you aren’t writing?
I’m a runner and this helps me keep mind and body together..
Any other creative pastimes? Crafts, gardening, art, etc.?
I love reading, movies and theatre. I am a pretty gregarious sort and love socializing with friends.
Mackenzie Brown was born and raised in Liverpool, UK, where he lives with his wife, two daughters and pet cat. Having three published novels already under his belt, Brown is currently working on a sequel to his acclaimed debut novel The Shifting, writing a new series of detective stories set in 1940s Liverpool and is soon planning to publish a novel documenting the early lives of his grandparents, set between the first and second world wars. Mackenzie Brown’s inspiration for writing was borne out of wartime stories shared with him by his grandfather and personal hero, Angus Mackenzie Brown, a character featured in this upcoming novel.
karensdifferentcorners 